Mug Rug Love

I recently had a birthday.  While it was not quite a "big" birthday it was made very, very special in lots of ways.

One of those ways was by lots of technology.  Through the joys of texting and facebook I got messages from so many of my lovely friends, Creative Memories buddies and extended family (even 3 of my Aunts that I hadn't heard from for a while)  My hubby spoiled me with an ipod and a new smart phone (welcome to the 21st century Nell!!!) Now I just have to work out how to use the damn thing LOL!

Another of those ways was through relationships - last year I went the whole day at work without anyone knowing it was my birthday.  This year the girls were determined that EVERYONE would know so I was thoroughly spoilt by gorgeous children and parents and staff (including a special brown paper package tied with my fav red and white spots - thanks www.bananarunkin.blogspot.com ) I had lots of hugs from sweet kidlets.  My teaching buddy made my favourite lemon almond cake.  My own kids each made their own handmade cards and decorated a sponge cake with way too many marshmallows and spearmint leaves!  Then my baby brother rang and announced that my sweet new niece, Izabella Grace, had put in an appearance on my birthday!!!!  It doesn't get much better than that.

And then there was this little handmade bit of love.  A very thoughtful present from my clever friend Nic www.nicolewood.blogspot.com  I love the quilting on it.  I love that it is in my colours and custom made to match my Happy Place!  Most of all I love that someone took the time, and the care, and the thoughtfulness to make it just for me.  Handmade Love.

It makes me happy every time I see it!!!

What makes you happy?

p.s.  This weekend we are at a quilting course with Lorraine Cocker.  Today I finally mastered the art of stippling - watch this space!

family time

Not a lot of crafting happening here lately because we have been having family time.  First my sis and mum and gorgeous little China Doll of a niece down from Queensland for a few days and now James' brother visiting from the UK.  Lovely time.  Family time.  Makes me miss them all so much more.  Makes me so very, very grateful for all that I have.

And while we are talking gratitude.  Tonight I started work on my soon-to-be-born-niece's quilt only to find that my quilter's pins all got left behind at our last quilt gathering so I had to hand-baste.  You know, we modern day quilters, we've got it pretty good!!! Thank goodness it was only a cot quilt!!!

Almost famous and most recently finished!

I recently had the honour of listening to Rhonda Anderson, the co-founder of Creative Memories, speak in Adelaide.  It was so amazing to hear her share her story and to recognise that she has touched and changed millions of lives just with one good idea.  She presented all of the SA Leaders with a special certificate so I was lucky enough to get a photo with her!

On the crafting front, this is the last quick finish - the Elf hat from "Last Minute Knitted Gifts" (although I modified the pattern to use circular needles)  The yarn is my own navaho plied Stained Glass from kathysfibres.com

And in the spirit of sharing, because attic24.typepad.com was brave enough to show her shelves of doom I thought I should add my own photo of the disasterous sewing table before the move to the craft room this afternoon.  I had actually started the cleaning/sorting process when this was taken hence the two top shelves.  I am almost finished now and will try to post "finished" photos tomorrow.  Scary how many almost-finished projects I unearthed.  When hubby heard me groaning and came to investigate he said "Why don't you just throw them out?"  What a liberating thought.  I am TRYING to let some of them go!!!!

Happy weekend!
Nell
p.s. the little blue pieces of paper stuck to the shelves say "DO NOT START ANOTHER THING" sigh...if only I would heed my own advice!

Finished WIP and the next one!

Well here it is, finally finished binding on Saturday so technically my first WIP for March?

And here is hopefully the next to be finished?  This was a version of Rosalie Quinlan's "Rebekah Amy" quilt started in Melbourne at least 10 years ago.  Funny how your tastes change as now I feel like this quilt is a bit too tonal and muted - nothing to make it pop!  This will be perfect to practise all over quilting on though!

It is a very grey rainy day here and I have a very mischievious toddler and a house that desperately needs decluttering before a busy week ahead.
Happy Monday!
Nell

February WIP

So if you only had 24 hours to quilt this in, how would you quilt it?  I am thinking in the ditch for the horizontal and vertical lines with a free motion outline around the butterfly and leaf and caterpillar?

Who am I kidding though?  This is not going to get finished in February.  Perhaps it could be my first WIP finish for March?  I will have to go back and read AJ's rules about the 12 projects in 12 months challenge - not sure what happens if you miss a month?  Still determined to get more than 12 WIPS done this year (but I did 3 in January so I figure I have a few already up my sleeve!)

Despite not meeting deadline I am feeling better about this quilt now that the top is finally done!  This quilt will also be the last quilt that I do before our Apple Piecers Quilting course with Lorraine Cocker so hopefully all quilts from here on in will be a bit more exciting than stitch in the ditch?

I feel like February has been an emotionally exhausting month - all the dramas of getting the kids settled back at school and establishing a new routine with the thought hanging over me that it will all change next term anyhow!!!

As of next term I will be back at work 3 days a week.  In many respects it is my dream job at my dream kindy and I will be working the way I love to work, with a set group of children over 2 consecutive days, but it does mean lots of BIG changes - lots of rethinking how we thought our lives would be for the next few years (I had not anticipated going back to work until Maddie started school)  Thankfully, I have a super supportive boss, and the love and support of my inlaws, great childcare, and kids that are pretty easy going and flexible.  I just know that I will need to be way more organised than I am naturally inclined to be and I will also have to overcome the "Mummy Guilt" of not being home with Maddie.  Please don't think I am judging anyone who has had to go back to work while their bubbies were little - I am grateful that I haven't had to before now.  I am also grateful that this is a conscious choice I am making to return to my pre-kids career more for the love of it, and the opportunity, than for the money but I am still grappling a little with the idea of not being around so much for my little Maddie!  Enough rambling - I have a quilt to finish!!!


Oh, and if you are reading this, and you are just lurking and I haven't heard from you for a while why not leave a comment, just so I know you are still there?
Happy Tuesday,
Keep smiling,
Nell

A bit of this and that...

Well since I last blogged there has been a fair bit of kindy work, and a fair bit of Creative Memories "work" (if you can call training at a 5 star resort "work" LOL) but there has also been a bit of cropping using Chris Lothian's fabulous "Fast Formulas".

There has been a bit of spinning (more "Ivy" and some "Happy" from Kathy's fibres)  I think I am addicted to Navaho plying!!!

There has also been some more knitting for charity.  The pink one with the heart is going to a friend's new baby girl.  The heart is a bit crooked but I am hoping that is part of the handmade charm!  This wool is so delicious and soft to work with that I am dreaming of a Baby Surprise Jacket (Toddler version) in lime and watermelon stripes for Miss Maddie.

Amongst other things there has been a slow and tentative start on my February WIP - all I can say is thank God for leap years because I am going to need the extra day this month if I am to get it finished LOL

Happy friday,
Nell

Back in the crafty zone!

Why will I never learn that when my crafting mojo is at a low I just need a few quick easy projects.  There is nothing like a bit of instant gratification to get the crafty juices flowing again.  A friend on www.ravelry.com is collecting little hats for a NZ hospital that was affected by the earthquakes so I have been "playing" with some beautiful watermelon coloured 4ply from www.kathysfibres.com and some leftovers from my stash.

This little hat ended up too big for the hospital but found a willing recipient.  I love how this one turned out!  I also really love that it turned out how I planned.  I find crochet so easy that way - I could never mess with knitting the way I play with crochet.  Now I want to make some smaller versions of these for the hospital.  If anyone else is keen to get involved Kathy and I are sending the hats off at the start of March.

Some more impromptu projects - the kids had school swimming this week and needed a separate bag for their swimming stuff - these took next to no time to make using bits from my stash (I think I bought this fabric to make jammies and never got there?)  I lined them with a really thick vinyl that was bought to make a weighted quilt for Autism SA (I sometimes have good intentions - I bought all the stuff and then it got too hard and the child it was for moved on before it was finished - I still feel a bit guilty about that so it was kind of nice to at least put the vinyl to good use)  If I was making these again I would try using the iron-on vinyl as this is pretty heavy duty.  Not to worry as I figure I've probably only got a few years before these Mummy-made bags will be considered seriously uncool!

I've also been doing some alterations on a nasty little 80s number for the 80s Murder Mystery that I am going to on Friday.  My alterations left me with enough fabric for 2 whopping great scrunchies to complete the look - urk!!! The 80s were so not good!!!

There has also been progress on my applique borders and I have finally figured out what I am doing for the Very Hungry Caterpillar.  I may or may not have been slightly sidetracked by a yummy Ruby layer cake that fell into my bag at quilting last weekend (I know - so against the simple living stuff and the 12 WIP but I just HAD TO!)  I am itching to start that project!!!!

I have also spent considerable time op shopping with the Madster (ostensibly to find 80s accessories)  The last thrifty finds included a pair of near new pink converses in Maddie's size, a metre and a half of vintage floral (yeah, I feel just like Kate www.foxslane.blogspot.com )  The gorgeous blue bowl cost a whole 50cents and the Royal Albert saucer (I LOVE Royal Albert!!) was 30cents!!!  I have a slight obsession with mismatched china.

Last but not least, today I found these new cups (4 in blue and 4 in red!) that fit perfectly in the coffee machine - oh happy day!  Can you see a trend emerging in my new crafty space?

You won't hear from me again this week - after teaching tomorrow I fly out Thursday for my Creative Memories Leadership Conference at Kingscliff (such a tough life!!!)
Until next time,
keep smiling,
Nell
xxx